Playable City Awards 2015

We can’t believe it’s that time once more. The Playable City Awards are back.

We don’t like to play favourites with our creative self starter events, but let’s just say if we did, this one would be pretty near the top of the list.

For those of you who haven't got a clue what we are talking about, here’s the lowdown.

Playable City Awards

Every year Bristol based creative studio Watershed invites artists, creatives and innovators from across the globe to put forward new ideas that will engage people in the open spaces of the city. Applicants are encouraged to use technology in an integrated and interesting way, injecting a sense of intrigue, meaning, and fun into public spaces.

As a concept, it’s rather difficult to explain in words, so take a look at this video, demonstrating last year’s winner Shadowing; be prepared it’s an absolutely marvellous stroke of simplistic creative genius.

The winning proposal will be installed in Bristol for the public to play in autumn 2015.

Playable City Award Winner 2014, Shadowing

What will the winners receive?

Alongside the prestige of being named winner of one of the UK’s most progressive, interesting, and fun creative awards, the makers of the chosen piece will also receive;

An award of £30,000

A trip to Tokyo in October 2015 to share learning from the Award as part of Watershed and British Council’s Playable City Tokyo programme

Practical support in producing the work

Connection with the Pervasive Media Studio at Watershed in Bristol

Development of touring and future opportunities

Documentation of the work

Who should apply for the award?

Your own credentials are not important but the proposal must demonstrate creative uses of technology. The award is open to both individuals and teams and it is crucial that you can demonstrate experience of delivering high quality, innovative projects. The work can be intended to take place outdoors or indoors, but it must be somewhere that the general public has access to, and be suitable for later touring across the UK and further afield if necessary. It must also be an original project i.e. not one that has been completed previously elsewhere.

The application process is currently in full swing and you have until 17:00 GMT on April 7th 2015 to apply!